MARCY, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's basketball team opened up their season on Saturday with a win over local rival Utica College 72-65. The Wildcats never trailed in the game thanks to a front court that scored 52 of the Wildcats 72 points.

The Wildcats got off to a great start in the first quarter, jumping out to an 11 point lead in the first four minutes. Poly would end the quarter with a nine point lead. Utica would make a push late, cutting the Wildcats lead to 3 in the third, but Poly was able to hold on to the lead and secure the seven point win.

Geena Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa HS) led all scorers in the game with 22 points, 10 of those coming from the free throw line. Gallo also recorded four rebounds and 4 assists.

Lauren Knowles (Salisbury Mills, N.Y. / Washingtonville HS) wasted no time, grabbing her first double-double in just the first game of the season. She had 18 points and a game high 12 boards.

Erika Charbonneau (Boonville, N.Y. / Adirondack HS) had a 12 point game, shooting 75 percent from the field. She also grabbed 5 rebounds and had 4 assists.

Junior Ryenn Smith (Lyons, N.Y. / Lyons Central HS) played a big part for the Wildcats off the bench. She recorded nine points and nine rebounds in her first game in her debut for the team.

The Wildcats as a team shot 45.6 percent from the floor, 60 percent from the charity stripe and 25 percent from beyond the arc. As a team they also had 5 blocks and 12 assists.

For the Pioneers, Ashley Babb scored 18 points off the bench, many of those points coming on highly contested shots. Mary Miceli scored 14 for Utica and Rachel Hunter grabbed 10 rebounds.

With the victory, the Wildcats start their season on a high note and bring their record to 1-0. The women will be back in action next Saturday when they host local rival Hamilton College. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 PM start. Live stats will be available for the game HERE